The Senate Commerce Committee today approved the nomination of Elaine Chao to be the next U.S. secretary of transportation, clearing the way for full Senate consideration. Committee members approved the nomination by voice vote. Commerce Committee chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) called Chao “well qualified” and said she would bring strong leadership to the Transportation Department.

Chao, who had served as deputy secretary of transportation during the President George H.W. Bush Administration and as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush, had been welcomed by both Republicans and Democrats alike during her nomination hearing on January 11.

At that hearing, she said she believed that there should be a “national consensus” on proposals to create a new organization to run the nation’s air traffic control system, but added the administration had not made a decision on such proposals. “I suspect this is one of the issues in which the White House will have some say,” added Chao, the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).

The Senate is expected to move on the Chao nomination shortly, with action possible next week.